Some Saturday soul food: Leo Babauta

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Hmm, cleaning up the dust bunnies since my last post has taken a while longer than expected! I really appreciate your warm support for, and gentle encouragement about, what I do here. You gave me great food for thought - I'll explain in my next post. But tonight I want to share with you an idea of the sage and insightful Leo Babauta of Zen Habits fame. Born in 1973, he's a blogger, journalist and published author. I really like the cut of his jib. 

Happiness is the uncovering of what you already have.

You can read more about his idea in his post here.

His basic premise is:

You have all you need for happiness, right now. 

You don’t need to change anything about yourself or your life. 

You just need to see what’s already there.

He breaks down what we really need to be happy. We can strive for happiness through external things like our families, houses, jobs and possessions.

But having all those boxes ticked as you'd like doesn't necessarily make you happy. Maybe it does for a while but such things are so changeable and by hitching all your hopes on them, your happiness is subject to the whims of others.

But (and this is where he hooks me in) when you look for happiness within ourselves and realise your own strengths and 'amazing things', you don't risk losing that happiness. 

You have control of it.

It's innately in you.

So tell me, do you think Leo is talking sense? Or do you think it's too simplistic a view of life? Do dive in and share.

Oh and I think I'll post soon about what makes me happy. I was thinking about doing a linky party for it. Are you up for it?

Some Saturday soul food: Brene Brown

                                                       Source: cl.ly via Jane on Pinterest

Well hello, sweet Planetarians. I've had a doozy of a week, full of stress, and haven't had the energy to blog. Hence this Some-Saturday-soul-food-on-a-Sunday post. So, just a quickie tonight - time for some beauty sleep ☺. I've chosen a sentence from the brilliant and inspiring US research professor, Brené Brown. I think she's just fabulous - I'll post more about her soon. You can read more about her here if your interest is piqued!

Understanding the difference between healthy striving and perfectionism is critical to laying down the shield and picking up your life.

Just brilliant. As a recovering perfectionist, I've been searching for this clarity for most of my 42 years. Brené has nailed it.

My battle is over. Well, largely over - I'm still a work-in-progress. Fighting for (non-existent and thus never achievable) perfection doesn't serve me well.

But 'healthy striving' - that's a concept I can live with. It's not just re-badged perfectionism. Rather, I think it's trying to always do my best in the circumstances. As opposed to an absolute which doesn't take into account the prevailing situation.

So, what do you all think about Brené's idea? Do you think she's talking sense? Or waffling? I can't wait to hear, as always!
 

PS Thanks sooo much for your fabulous responses to my last post. I was flabbergasted to read them. I'll post my response shortly - promise!

Some Saturday soul food: Mooji

                                 Source: crushculdesac.tumblr.com via Jane on Pinterest

Well hello everyone! I've been a bit MIA this week, haven't I? Opening Planet Joy has been utterly absorbing and such fun, although tiring. It's only Day Two of that little caper and I'm still finding my stride, learning on the job. I've been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from you fabulous Planetarians - thankyou, most sincerely. I'm pinching myself.

And you know what? It feels so good.

Apart from earning some income to keep Planet Baby running, it's giving me focus, a purpose and an outlet for my creativity, all at the same time.

So for tonight's soul food, I've chosen another quotation by the Jamaican mystic, Anthony Paul Moo-Young (known as Mooji), born in 1954. 

Find that place 

which is effortlessly 

at rest within itself. 

Be there - be one with that.

I haven't been in 'that place' for quite some time now. And I'm loving the view.

Tell me, have you found that sweet spot in life yet? Or is finding it still a work-in-progress? I can't wait to hear your ideas.

Some Saturday soul food: Groucho Marx

                              Source: betheoneyouwant-tobe.tumblr.com via Jane on Pinterest

Thanks so much for your gorgeous outpouring of support after my last post. You're such strong supporters of me. I'm a lucky girl to have you in my corner. For tonight's soul food, I've chosen the fabulous American comedian and film and television star, Groucho Marx (1890-1977).

Each morning when I open my eyes, I say to myself 'I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today.  

I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet.

I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.'

It's a ripper, don't you think? It's taken me most of my 42 years to work it out, I must say!
That Eureka-like moment of realising you actually have a degree of control over such matters is fabulous.
Being mindful and living in the moment are still very much works-in-progress for me ☺. But at least I'm on the case, I guess.
So what do you think? Are you with Groucho or against him? Why? I'm looking forward to hearing your illuminating thoughts, as always.

Some Saturday soul food: Howard Thurman

                                                  Source: flickr.com via Jane on Pinterest

Well hello, you happy campers. I hope you've had/are having a stunning weekend. I'm a day late with this week's soul food - blame it on the AFL Grand Final yesterday! Tonight I've chosen something short and sweet by the noted American philosopher, theologian and civil rights leader, Howard Thurman (1899–1981). 

Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. 

And then go and do that. 

Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

This is *so* on the money, don't you think? By the end of the first sentence, I was thinking "Hmm, that's a bit selfish". By the time I'd finished reading, I'd changed my mind.

I think 'to come alive' is a fabulous concept. As I'm emerging from these long years of PND, I'm gradually feeling like I am. Thankfully.

And you gorgeous Planetarians are helping me no end in my aim. Thankyou! 

So tell me, what makes you come alive? Let's share thoughts and get the warm fuzzies flowing as well as find out more about each other. What do you think? I can't wait to hear what you come up with!

Some Saturday soul food: Maya Angelou

                                     Source: air-we-inspire.livejournal.com via Jane on Pinterest

Ooh good evening, sweet Planetarians! I'm starting to get *a little bit excited* - I'm getting very close to opening my new Etsy shop. Woo hoo! I'll fill you in very soon - promise ☺. With that in mind, for today's soul food I've chosen something from the incomparable Maya Angelou. You loved her back here - this one's fantastic as well.

Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told “I’m with you, kid. Let’s go.”

Amen to that.

My time for double-checking, researching, investigating and weighing-up-the-pros -and-cons is over.

It's time for action.

Time to start the journey!

After all, what do I have to lose?! Stay tuned...

Tell me, do you agree with Maya's exhortation to be bold? Have you done just that in life, taking a big leap into the unknown? Or have you been prevaricating like me? Dive in and share - I'm hope I'm not the only one!

Some Saturday soul food: Hermann Hesse

                                Source: rockstarbebezphotography.com via Linda on Pinterest

Hello, me again! I always look forward to Saturdays and finding some sweet soul food to share with you. This week it's a quotation from the eminent German-Swiss  poet, novelist, and painter, Herman Hesse (1877-1962).

Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.

Wow! It's so simple, yet powerful, don't you think? 

I cherish such time alone without distraction when I can really tune out and just be. No demands on my time, nothing. Just me, alone with my thoughts. I find it very calming.

It can be such a challenge to remember to make the time to do it in our age of distraction. Having littlies around compounds matters, of course!

So tell me, do you agree with Herr Hesse? Do you make the time to tune into yourself like that? Or is it something you never get around to doing? I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Some Saturday soul food: William Henry Channing

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Ah you gorgeous Planetarians, all 550 of you! Thanks for your kind birthday wishes - I really appreciated them. I'll post about my day soon - the celebrations will continue awhile longer. Tonight for our weekly soul food, I've chosen something from William Henry Channing, a US clergyman, writer and philosopher (1810–84).

To live content with small means; 

to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; 

to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; 

to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; 

to study hard; 

to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; 

in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common 

- this is my symphony.

Oh my stars! I must print this out and pop it onto my moodboard. It is so eloquent, noble and wise. The first line is especially pertinent on Planet Baby right now. Elegance and refinement are two of my favourite states of being. I'd love to do more star gazing like the couple above. And I also appreciate the bidding to 'await occasions, hurry never' - as a wise person once told me, "Hasten slowly". Something to ponder in this age of hyper-connectivity and split-second timing.

I wouldn't mind this being my symphony.

How about you? Could it be your symphony, too? Do you adhere to any of these suggestions? Or is it a 'bit out there' for you? Dive in and share - that's what you Planetarians are best at. I can't wait to hear your thoughts.

Some Saturday soul food: Mooji

                                   Source: oldtimefriend.tumblr.com via Jane on Pinterest

My goodness, winter is really leaving with a bang tonight in rain-soaked old Hobart Town! Only yesterday, we were in shorts and T-shirts. Crazy. Joshie's soccer team won again today in a close match in the mud. Next week is the season's last. It'll be great to get our Saturdays back again ☺.

Tonight I've chosen something by the Jamaican mystic, Anthony Paul Moo-Young (known as Mooji), born in 1954. 

Throw everything away, forget about it all!   

You are learning too much, remembering too much, trying too hard. 

Relax a little bit, give life a chance to flow its own way, unassisted by your mind and effort.   

Stop directing the river’s flow!

I *get* this. Well, maybe not the first line but everything else hits the mark. 

I am such a work-in-progress after spending so much of my life over-thinking and second-guessing things.  

Over the years, I've spent so much energy and time trying to gain control in situations where it's been well nigh impossible. I've ended up exhausted and frustrated.

Realising that there are very few things in my control has been a huge watershed for me. 

Especially over the past year or so, I've let some things drift, not worried about others as much or even at all and just tuned out to others.

And the world has still kept turning. Crazy, I know!

So I know Mooji is talking sense. Time for me to lighten up some more and just be.

Tell me - do you also try too hard sometimes? Or does going with life's flow come naturally to you? Can you leap with abandon into the unknown like the girls above? I'm interested to hear all your insights - I love seeing how beautifully you Planetarians share what you've learnt in life here.

Some Saturday soul food: William Arthur Ward

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Hello you gorgeous Planetarians. It's been a mixed bag of a day on Planet Baby. We started with the excitement of having a small, not-for-profit group use our front door for a scene in a film shoot. The pixies were enthralled. Then we all scooted off to Joshie's soccer match, played in the mud and biting cold. The score? 7-1 to us. Woo hoo! We scampered to the car just as the rain set in. We've since been cooped up inside, passing our time with playing with Star Wars Lego, attempting tug-of-war with Joshie's dressing gown cord, baking cupcakes, cooking roast chicken and playing Junior Monopoly. Mr PB has headed off to his night job, bless him, handing the reins back to me.

Given the stunning success of the Australian yachting team at the London Olympics in winning our 3rd sailing gold medal yesterday, today I've chosen something with a nautical theme. 

It's by William Arthur Ward (1921-94), an American writer.

The pessimist complains about the wind; 

the optimist expects it to change; 

the realist adjusts the sails.

As a sailor's daughter, it really appeals to me. And with the challenges life has thrown me in recent years, it's one I'm grappling with.

I used to be an optimist, then became a pessimist and am now almost a realist! Still with a dash of optimism thrown in.

Where do you rank yourself? Are you any good at adjusting your sails? Dive in and share with us, as always.

Oh, and on a side note, although such things don't normally bother me, I've noticed that these 'Some Saturday soul food' posts aren't being read as much as my other posts. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. 

Would you prefer quotations from different people (eg more of the classics and less pop culture or vice versa)? Or do you find this column at odds with my blog's general tone? Maybe you love it but just don't comment. I just can't work it out! I'd really appreciate any constructive feedback you may have. Thanks in advance...

Some Saturday soul food: Anonymous

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Hello gorgeous ones. Just a quickie tonight after a fun family day - the cousins had a ball. For today's soul food, I've chosen a poem I haven't been able to attribute to anyone - please tell me if you know the author. But given where my head's at right now, I thought I'd share it. 

I do so not to be maudlin. Far from it. 

I find it immensely moving and uplifting. I hope some of you who've also experienced the death of a loved one can derive some comfort and emotional sustenance from it.

The photo above is how I feel at the moment, gazing wistfully into infinity and remembering.

This Heritage

They are not lost

who leave us this great heritage

of remembered joy.

They still live in our hearts

in the happiness we knew,

in the dreams we shared.

They still breathe in the lingering fragrance,

windblown from their favourite flowers.

They still smile in the moonlight's silver

and laugh in the sunlight's sparkling gold.

They still speak in the echoes of the words

we've heard them say again and again.

They still move in the rhythm of waving grasses, 

in the dance of the tossing branches.

They are not gone,

their memory is warm in our hearts,

comfort in our sorrow.

They are not apart from us

but a part of us.

For love is lasting.

And those we love

shall be with us always.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.

PS Don't forget to enter my giveaway - it closes on Monday!

Some Saturday soul food: Daniel Goleman

                                           Source: Uploaded by user via Jane on Pinterest

Oui, c'est moi! Posting twice in one day is unusual for me but this quotation by Daniel Goleman really caught my eye. 

Self-absorption in all its forms kills empathy, let alone compassion. 

When we focus on ourselves, our world contracts as our problems and preoccupations loom large. 

But when we focus on others, our world expands. 

Our own problems drift to the periphery of the mind and so seem smaller and we increase our capacity for connection or compassionate action.

It ties in so well with my last two posts here and here, don't you think? I guess this is the nub of what I'm talking about. I find life is so much richer when we give instead of always taking. 
And by giving, I mean giving without expecting anything in return. Sometimes the rewards which result can be just enchanting.
I've found that in life generally but especially so in blogging. Love live compassion!
A penny for your thoughts! Does giving come naturally to you? Or do you really need to make an effort to do it? Do share!

Some Saturday soul food: Nancy Long

                                      Source: 27.media.tumblr.com via Jane on Pinterest

Hello everyone It's some-Saturday-soul-food-on-a-Sunday today. The reason? This weekend I've had the delicious distraction of a dear girlfriend of mine being popped on a plane to Hobart for the weekend as a surprise by her thoughtful husband. He's at home minding their two young daughters, bless him. We haven't seen each other for 4 years so there's much gleeful catching up to do. So this will be brief as I want to get back to her!

This week, I've chosen a quotation from Nancy Long (I can't find a reference - let me know if you've heard of her).

Whether we name divine presence synchronicity, serendipity, or graced moment matters little. 

What matters is the reality that our hearts have been understood. 

Nothing is as real as a healthy dose of magic which restores our spirits.

Having my girlfriend staying here has reminded me of the joy of having my heart understood. It is an extraordinary feeling to have someone *get* me on all levels. She is a blessing to me. After a day and half, I already feel like my spirits have been restored. 

Do you have any special people in your lives who make you feel the same? I can't wait to hear your thoughts.

PS 'Sunday splendour' will return next week.

Some Saturday soul food: Richard Bach

                                   Source: boundbyrealityy.tumblr.com via Jane on Pinterest*

Hmm, life's been a bit serious here this week, hasn't it?! It's funny how ill health can affect one's mood so much. After yesterday's drama, I can report that life on Planet Baby is ever so slowly returning to some semblance of equilibrium. But not before Miss India came down with an ear infection, the poor poppet. Regrettably, we've had to postpone Sammy's 3rd birthday celebrations planned for tomorrow until next weekend. But we'll still celebrate with him as a family tomorrow. My baby is growing up! Anyway, let's return to some normal programming for a change - okay?

For today's soul food, I've turned to the American writer, Richard Bach. Some of you might know him as the author of 'Jonathan Livingstone Seagull'.

There are no mistakes. 

The events we bring upon ourselves, no matter how unpleasant, are necessary in order to learn what we need to learn. 

Whatever steps we take, they’re necessary to reach the places we’ve chosen to go.

This is a real thought-provoker for me. After spending most of my life over-thinking as only a perfectionist can, I'm finally realising the truth espoused here. It's a much more useful and hopeful way of reflecting on the mistakes we make, don't you think? 

I always used to view mistakes as negative things which were to be regretted and lamented. Agonised over, even. 

Now I can see there's no point in beating myself up over them. Instead, I can view them as opportunities for learning. Something good can come of them, after all.

Remembering to look back on them for those insights is the challenge, I guess. Oh, and not falling into the trap of over-analysing them for recovering perfectionists like me!

So, over to you. Do you think Mr Bach is talking sense? Do you always try to learn from your mistakes? Or do you forget them and just move on? I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts, as always.

* I chose this photo as I thought she looked reflective. Get it?!

Some Saturday soul food: Golda Meir

                              Source: crumpledenvelope.tumblr.com via Jane on Pinterest

Hello Lovelies. I'm just playing catchup with 'Some Saturday soul food' on a Sunday! I just had to get my last post on social media out of my head last night so this post was bumped down the batting order! I must say how interesting and varied your comments on it have been so far. Keep it up - it's fascinating to read your different takes on a topic which affects us all. 

For this week's soul food, I've chosen a quotation from Golda Meir, Israel's first female Prime Minister in the early 1970s.

Trust yourself. 

Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. 

Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.

It's the affirmation I'm looking for, right now. After finishing my two e-courses on blogging and self-care, it's time I moved from the theory to the planning of the next chapter in my life, work-wise. 

I need to quieten my Voice of Doubt, ignore my detractors, back myself, close my eyes and leap into the unknown. Let's see where I land!

Tell me if this resonates with you. Is it blindingly obvious to you and something you've always done? Or is it a journey you've had to walk with many detours along the way? Looking forward to your thoughts, as always!    

PS Don't forget you can still join in the Post of the Month Club linky party until 14 July 2012. We've already had 40 fabulous entries - I'd love to read and discover some more brilliant blogs. Give it a go!

Some Saturday soul food: Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai

Bonsoir, mes amies! Mr PB took the pixies out fishing with gorgeous Mel's husband today after yesterday's events! Such troopers, those two - they had charge of our combined 7 children under 9! Worth their weight in gold, you might say. Mel and I are counting our blessings. I relished having some precious moments alone and treated myself to a visit to the inaugural Niche Market in Hobart. Catching up with sweet Ness and her family was a delight, as always. Now I have the pixies fast asleep after their adventure. Time to catch up on my two e-courses!

                                                Source: yanphoto.com via Misty on Pinterest

This quotation from the renowned American photographer, Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai, really caught my attention this week. 

Never compare your journey with someone else’s. It’s a marathon with no finish line.  

Someone else may start out faster than you, may seem to progress more quickly than you, but every runner has his own pace.   

Your journey is your journey, not a competition.

I *get* this. Finally. It's taken me most of my 41 years to work out but I got there, thank goodness! Not that I've ever been a 'keeping up with the Joneses' type person but more that I've finally realised that to a large degree, my destiny is in my own hands. 

It's my journey and I'm claiming it. 

And I no longer worry about what others think of me. Goodness, even writing that is a huge breakthrough for me, after a lifetime of fretting about that.   

A penny for your thoughts! Any insights to share? I'm all ears!

Some Saturday soul food: Ralph Waldo Emerson

                                         Source: prettystuff.tumblr.com via Jane on Pinterest

Just a quickie tonight, my friends, as I have homework to do for my two courses. I'm just itching to get stuck into it - it's been an exhilarating week with so much inspiration and challenging thoughts thrown my way.

Here's another gem from one of my favourite American poets, Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship. 

It is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship.

I love its simplicity and truth.

I have been blessed to have had many deep and soul-enriching friendships throughout my life. Others have come and gone. I've mourned the end of some friendships profoundly. Others, not so much. 

My *keepers* definitely have that belief and trust in me even although sometimes I haven't been able to see why. 

But when I have recognised it, it's brought me untold joy and a sense of kindred that transcends all else. They're the ones who *get* me. And some of you gorgeous Planetarians count amongst that number. Thankyou for the joy and light you bring me, just by being my friends.

So, do share your thoughts on Emerson's words. What does friendship mean to you? I can't wait to hear!

Some Saturday soul food: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

                              Source: debaucheryauxiliary.blogspot.com via Jane on Pinterest

Ah lovelies! My goodness, my last two posts answering your *burning questions* from our survey seem to have attracted quite a bit of attention, if my traffic figures are to be believed ☺. I hope you're enjoying finding out a bit more about my 'back story'. I'm now wondering why I didn't think to do this sooner! Bringing back early posts for a repeat showing sure makes it easier for me with my wounded wing. I thought I'd give you a breather after all the information you've had to absorb this week. 

Tonight I'm sharing a quotation from one of my favourite German writers, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832). I studied him when majoring in German for my Arts degree. I must get around to posting about my love of all things German some day soon! He made such stunning contributions to German literature, including Faust, which are still studied and widely read 200 years later. Here is something succinct and powerful.

Whatever you do or dream you can do – begin it.  

Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.

This resonates with me so strongly right now, on so many levels. 

The creative within me, the life-force propelling me out of the depths of severe post-natal depression and grief, is dreaming. They're big dreams. They're so huge that my brain is struggling to coalesce them into concrete, 'doable' steps of exciting projects. 

Just today, I spent a few hours writing a 'brain dump' of all the ideas which are crowding my brain, trying to get to the starting line first. It helped. A little. I need to spend more time on it but it was a start. And it was encouraging. Thrilling, even.

But then, as usual, the recovering perfectionist in me was tapped on the (right - it's always the right) shoulder by the Voice of Doubt (VOD), that pesky underminer who always wants his two bobs' worth. Can I do it? Am I being ridiculous? How can it all possibly work together? I should think about it a lot more and examine all the pros and cons.

And then I read Goethe's words. Calmness soaked into my veins. 

I can do this. I can be bold. I just need to begin these new projects. Now. No time like the present (er, once my hand has healed, that is!).

Cryptic, I know. Sorry to tease you but once I've worked out the way forward (no procrastinating thankyou, Mr VOD), I'll share it with you here. Promise.

So tell me, do Goethe's words inspire you? Are they the spark you need to propel you to do something you've yearned after for ages? Do share!

Some Saturday soul food: Henry David Thoreau

                                      Source: wallflowerfriends.com via Jane on Pinterest

Oh my stars! Thankyou ever so much for your gorgeous supportive comments and emails following yesterday's post. You all have the hugest hearts. Your compassion bowls me over. All the time. 

Here's another quick post tonight from one of my all time favourite writers and philosophers, the American Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862). I first discovered him when aged 18 and on a school trip walking through some lush rainforest in Queensland. We chanced upon an enchanting waterfall and some ancient Aboriginal rock art. One of my teachers then shared with me his love of Thoreau's Walden, one of the all-time greats in American literature. I was captivated. 

He wrote many journals over the years - here's his entry for 6 July 1840.

Have no mean hours, but be grateful for every hour, and accept what it brings. The reality will make any sincere record respectable.  

No day will have been wholly misspent, if one sincere, thoughtful page has been written. 

I find the power and simplicity of these words just stunning.

The first paragraph reminds me to be in the moment and be thankful for my very existence. That's such a poignant reminder for me just now.

And the second inspires me to keep writing. To continue to distil the essence of my thoughts as I try to make sense of what has been, and what will be, in my life.

So tell me, are any of you gorgeous Planetarians also a fan of Thoreau? Do you think he's talking sense? I can't wait to hear your thoughts.

Some Saturday soul food: Steve Jobs

                                Source: toocutethings.blogspot.com via Jane on Pinterest*

Oh, you gorgeous Planetarians! Thanks ever so much for coming out to bat for me** about my last post. It's so comforting to know that at least you all have some compassion ☺. And a super-duper thanks to those who are still answering my survey - you've provided me with enough ideas for at least a month of posts! I'll summarise the results in the coming days and start answering some of your requests and questions - watch this space. So, now I'm rugged up against the chill after a full day of 9 am soccer (Joshie assisted with one goal) and winter clothes shopping for the pixies (not for the faint-hearted - Mr PB only *just* survived!), I thought I'd pick a contemporary quotation for this week's soul food.

Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech is such a memorable and oft-quoted masterpiece of encouragement in the face of adversity. Here's one of my favourite extracts:

Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith. 

I’m convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. 

You’ve got to find what you love. 

And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers.  

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.  

And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.  

If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.  

As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on.  

So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.

This has so much resonance for me right now as I ponder which direction to take work-wise once I've recovered from my hand operation. 

I started to post on my thoughts on working as a lawyer back here but then life got in the way of my story-telling. I promise to return to where I left off soon and try to answer the questions so many of you have posed in responding to my survey.

But be assured that "love what you do" and "Don’t settle" are imprinted firmly in my brain. I hope they will be the glittering guideposts which will illuminate my way ahead. Stay tuned!

So tell us, do Steve Jobs' words resonate with you as well? Or do you think they're too idealistic? Maybe you think the idea laudable but incredibly hard to achieve. Leap in and share your thoughts - I'm all ears!  

*   Maybe a quirky photo choice but I feel like she's still a-wandering and not settling.
** A reference for my fellow cricket tragics!